Some of the products you use at home are potentially hazardous. Safe handling and proper disposal of these materials will protect you, your family, and our environment.

"EPA considers some leftover household products that can catch fire, react, or explode under certain circumstances, or that are corrosive or toxic as household hazardous waste. Products, such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides can contain hazardous ingredients and require special care when you dispose of them."

The best way to handle household waste is to prevent it in the first place. By learning more about which types of products are hazardous and ways to use less, use it up, and use nonhazardous alternatives, you can significantly reduce the generation of this type of waste right at the source.

Tips on Managing HHW

Before you buy a product, read label and make sure it will do what you want. Once you buy something, you are responsible for disposing of it properly.

Buy only what you need, and use it all for its intended use. Be conservative in selecting the product container size. A large container is not a bargain if you don't use it all. Once material has been used up, the container may be disposed of with your trash.

Give away unwanted leftover products. Ask friends, neighbors or non-profit groups if they can use the products.

Look for nonhazardous alternatives. Safer substitutes, like vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, salt, borax, olive oil and cedar chips, used alone or in various combinations can get the job done as well as their more hazardous counterparts.